Articulating support arm apparatus for head-worn devices

ABSTRACT

A head worn apparatus having a pair of rearwardly disposed elongated support arm assemblies having movable portions which are positionally adjustable to provide increased wearer comfort attached to a head-worn device such as a visor or eyeglasses. The support arm assemblies each include a an articulating segment and/or head gripping region pivotally coupled to the head-worn apparatus. The articulating segment include means for providing a constant inward compressive force by means of increased resistance for rotating articulating segments outwardly, thereby securing the head-won device onto a wearer&#39;s head.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in part of application Ser. No.08/962,864 filed on Nov. 3, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,862 which is acontinuation of Ser. No. 08/671,700, filed on Jun. 28, 1996, now U.S.Pat. No. 5,682,608, which is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains generally to head worn visors and likedevices, and more particularly to pivotally adjustable support arms andsupport pads for head-worn devices.

2. Description of the Background Art

Head worn visors are frequently utilized by golfers, tennis players,joggers, and other persons engaged in outdoor activities to reduce glareto the eyes and to prevent sunburn. Head worn visors are also commonlyused in dental, medical and other professions to support face shields,eye shields, lights, reflectors, mirrors, magnifying optics, tintedglass or other apparatus from a wearer's head.

Conventional head worn visors typically comprise a headband with aforwardly disposed bill or shade and a pair of rearwardly disposedresilient arms which partially encircle and tensionally engage the sidesof a wearer's head in order to hold or support the visor on the wearer'shead. In another typical arrangement, the rearwardly disposed armsgenerally encircle the wearer's head and are coupled or joined togetherin the back of the wearer's head.

The aforementioned conventional visor types share a common deficiency;they are uncomfortable to wear, particularly for extended periods oftime. In order to minimize discomfort, the visor must be frequentlyrepositioned. This problem is most readily apparent with head worn visordevices having resilient, rearwardly disposed arms which tensionallyengage the wearer's head, since the amount of force or tension appliedby the resilient arms to the wearer's head generally cannot becontrolled or adjusted, and the force or tension is applied to arelatively small area of the wearer's head. This is a particular problemfor physicians, dentists, welders, and other persons who rely on faceshields or other devices supported by a head worn visor since thesepersons frequently have both hands occupied in difficult or complexprocedures and cannot free their hands to positionally adjust the headvisor to a new position to increase comfort. Furthermore, these personsoften wear eyeglasses with corrective lenses during the performance ofthese procedures, and, as is common to most eyeglasses, the arms of theeyeglass frame hook around the rear of the wearer's ear. Using the earsto additionally support a visor apparatus would significantly contributeto the discomfort of the wearer.

It will further be appreciated that eyeglasses suffer from the sameaforementioned deficiencies; that is, they can be uncomfortable to wearbecause of an inadequate side support mechanism.

Accordingly, there is a need for an articulating support arm apparatusfor head-worn devices such as visors and glasses which provides forpositional control of rearwardly disposed tails instead of, which allowsadjustment of the amount of tension or force exerted by the tailsagainst the sides of the wearer's head, and which maintains the adjustedtension or force exerted by the tails against the sides of the wearer'shead. The present invention satisfies these needs, as well as others,and generally overcomes the deficiencies present in the background art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to an articulating support arm apparatuswhich provides increased wearer comfort. In general terms, the inventioncomprises a pair of support arm assemblies that can be coupled to theheadband of a visor or to the frame of eyeglasses. Each support armassembly includes a head gripping pad, an articulating member forpositionally adjusting the head gripping pad relative to the support armand an articulating adjustment means for positionally adjusting thearticulating member and the head gripping pad. Articulating adjustmentmeans includes means to create a greater holding force on thearticulating member so as to provide the head gripping pad a moreconstant and secure grip around a wearer's head.

The articulating adjustment means preferably comprises sleeves on thearticulating members which pivotally couple to a sleeve on the rearportion of a headband and posts on the articulating members whichpivotally engage the sockets on the head gripping pads. Alternatively,the apparatus can be connected to an eyeglass frame or to short supportarms connected to an eyeglass frame. A plunger having a plurality ofteeth or serrations is inserted within the sleeves, with the serrationson the plunger structured and configured to reversibly intermesh withthe serrations within the sleeve of the headband to provide pivotalarticulation in a ratcheting fashion.

The invention is utilized by placing it on the wearer's head with thewearer's head generally positioned between the first and second supportarm assemblies. The articulating members and/or articulating headgripping pads are pivotally adjusted to desired positions to accommodatethe wearer's head by pushing on or otherwise applying force to thearticulating members and/or head gripping pads. The amount of tensionapplied to the wearer's head by the first and second support armassemblies is controlled by pivotally adjusting the position of thearticulating members. Optionally, the articulating members and headgripping pads are detachable and interchangeable so that the wearer canadjust or control the amount of head contact surface area by selectingparticular articulating members and head gripping pads.

An object of the invention is to provide an articulating supportapparatus which may be pivotally adjusted to fit the head of individualwearers.

Another object of the invention is to provide an articulating supportapparatus which is comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support apparatus witharticulating arm members such that greater frictional resistance isencountered when rotating the arm members in a direction away from thewearer's head.

Still another object of the invention is to provide articulating armmembers which are adaptable to head-worn devices such as visors andeyeglasses.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out inthe following portions of the specification, wherein the detaileddescription is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodimentsof the invention without placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to thefollowing drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of articulating support arms in accordancewith the present invention coupled to a visor and headband, which areshown in phantom.

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of a left support arm assemblyshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detailed exploded view of the left support arm assemblyshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the articulating adjustment meansportion of the apparatus taken along line 4—4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the plunger shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the articulating support arms of thepresent invention coupled to temples of eyeglasses shown in phantom.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the articulating adjustment means of thepresent invention coupled to eyeglasses shown in phantom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring more specifically to the drawings, for illustrative purposesthe present invention is embodied in the apparatus generally shown inFIG. 1 through FIG. 7. It will be appreciated that the apparatus mayvary as to configuration and as to details of the parts withoutdeparting from the basic concepts as disclosed herein.

Referring first to FIG. 1, an articulating visor apparatus 10 employingarticulating support arms in accordance with the invention is generallyshown. Visor apparatus 10 generally includes a headband 12 and aforwardly disposed bill or shade 14 joined to head band 12. Theinvention comprises a pair of support arm assemblies 16 a, 16 b having apair of center sleeves 18 a, 18 b that can be coupled to the rear end 20a, 20 b of head band 12 or the like. Headband 12, shade 14 and centersleeves 18 a, 18 b may be integrally formed from a single piece ofresilient material such as polyethylene sheet, or may comprise separateportions which are joined together by adhesives, melt bonding, or likemeans. Support arm assemblies 16 a, 16 b include articulating members 22a, 22 b that are pivotally coupled to center sleeves 18 a, 18 b,respectively, and head gripping pads 24 a, 24 b that are pivotallycoupled to articulating members 22 a, 22 b, respectively.

The length, structure and configuration of articulating members 22 a, 22b may be varied as required for different wearer head sizes or forparticular applications of the invention. Preferably, articulatingmembers 22 a, 22 b are of a generally elongate shape as shown.Articulating member 22 a has a first or front end 26 a and a second orback end 28 a, and articulating member 22 b likewise includes a first orfront end 26 b and a second or back end 28 b. An upper sleeve 30 a and alower sleeve 32 a are joined to first end 26 a of articulating member 22a, and a generally cylindrical post 34 a is joined to second end 28 a ofarticulating member 22 a. Similarly, an upper sleeve 30 b and a lowersleeve 32 b are attached to first end 26 b of articulating member 22 b,and a generally cylindrical post 34 b is attached to second end 28 b ofarticulating member 22 b.

Referring also to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the details of support armassembly 16 a are depicted. Although not depicted in detail, support armassembly 16 b comprises similar mirror-image components shown anddescribed for support arm assembly 16 a. Accordingly, support armassembly 16 b is configured and functions in the same manner as supportarm assembly 16 a.

It can be seen that center sleeve 18 a includes a plurality oflongitudinally oriented serrations 36 disposed circumferentially aroundthe inner surface 38 of center sleeve 18 a. The inner diameter of centersleeve 18 a tapers from the bottom 40 to the top 42 of center sleeve 18a in a conical fashion. A first pair of arc-shaped ledges 44, preferablyspaced 180° apart, protrude inwardly within upper sleeve 30 a, formingsteps 46 within upper sleeve 30 a. The bottom surface 48 of ledges 44are flush with the bottom surface 50 of upper sleeve 30 a. Similarly, asecond pair of arc-shaped ledges 52, preferably spaced 180° apart,protrude inwardly within lower sleeve 32 a. The upper surface 54 ofledges 52 are flush with the upper surface 56 of lower sleeve 32 a. Thegeneral effect of first pair of arc-shaped ledges 44 and second pair ofarc-shaped ledges 52 is to form non-circular shaped apertures withinupper sleeve 30 a and lower sleeve 32 a, respectively.

Referring additionally to FIG. 5, center sleeve 18a is disposed betweenupper sleeve 30 a and lower sleeve 32 a with center sleeve 18a coupledto articulating member 22 a by a plunger 58 inserted upward throughlower sleeve 32 a, center sleeve 18 a and upper sleeve 30 a. Plunger 58includes a conical section 60 tapering from bottom 62 to top 64 ofconical section 60 with a degree of taper matching that within centersleeve 18a Longitudinally oriented serrations 66 are disposedcircumferentially around conical section 60. Plunger 58 includes a pairof cut-outs 68, preferably spaced 180° apart, and configured to engageadjacent first arc-shaped ledges 44 and second arc-shaped ledges 52 suchthat rotation of upper sleeve 30 a and lower sleeve 32 a causes acorresponding rotation of plunger 58 engaged therein. It is contemplatedthat any generally non-circular aperture within upper sleeve 30 a andlower sleeve 32 a will meet the objective of preventing plunger 58rotation relative to upper sleeve 30 a and lower sleeve 32 a whenplunger 58 is inserted therein.

Plunger 58 also includes an extended tip 70 onto which a tab 72 a ispress fitted to retain plunger 58 within lower sleeve 32 a, centersleeve 18 a and upper sleeve 30 a. The design allows for limitedlongitudinal movement of plunger 58 when engaged therein. An annularspring 74 inserted between tab 72 a and steps 46 of upper sleeve 30 abiases plunger 58 upward. When plunger 58 is biased to its uppermostposition, serrations 66 on plunger 58 frictionally engage serrations 36within center sleeve 18 a, thereby rendering articulating member 22 afixed in position. As tab 72 a is depressed, serrations 66 on plunger 58disengage from serrations 36 within center sleeve 18 a, thereby allowingfor frictional rotation of upper sleeve 30 a and lower sleeve 32 a, thusallowing for adjustment of articulating member 22 a. Serrations 66 onplunger 58 along with serrations 36 in center sleeve 18 a are angledsuch that a lower frictional resistance is encountered when articulatingmember 22 a is rotated counter-clockwise than when rotated clockwise.This is because serrations 66 have clockwise facing lands 76 that arelonger, measured tangentially, than counter-clockwise facing lands 78.Serrations 36 within center sleeve 18 a are similarly but reversiblyconfigured to allow for proper engagement and meshing thereon.

The converse is applicable to articulating member 22 b, wherein a lowerfrictional resistance is encountered when articulating member 22 b isrotated clockwise than when rotated counter-clockwise. Therefore, whenapparatus 10 is placed on a wearer's head (not shown), positionaladjustment of articulating members 22 a, 22 b in an inward direction(towards the wearer's head) applies greater compressive force to headgripping pads 24 a, 24 b, allowing the wearer to more firmly affix thevisor 10 on the wearer's head. A looser fit is achieved by positionallyadjusting articulating members 22 a, 22 b outward or away from thewearer's head after depressing tab 72 a and/or tab 72 b. Thus, throughthe articulating motion of the articulating members 22 a, 22 b, thewearer can precisely fit the head visor apparatus 10 to his or her headto provide maximum comfort.

Head gripping pads 24 a, 24 b include sockets 80 a, 80 b which pivotallyengage cylindrical posts 34 a, 34 b of articulating members 22 a, 22 b.Sockets 80 a, 80 b are preferably made of resilient material so thatposts 34 a, 34 b reversibly snap fit into sockets 80 a, 80 b, allowingdisassembly from articulating members 22 a, 22 b for cleaning orinterchanging with other head gripping pads of different configuration.

Additionally, sockets 80 a, 80 b on head gripping pads 24 a, 24 b,respectively, are offset from the longitudinal center of the headgripping pads 24 a, 24 b. This configuration allows the wearer to makethe overall length of support arm assemblies 16 a, 16 b longer orshorter by removing head gripping pads 24 a, 24 b, turning them over,and then reinstalling them. While the length change may be small, it caneffect a significant change in comfort to the wearer. Note also that theposts 34 a, 34 b of articulating members 22 a, 22 b are offset from thelongitudinal axis of the members to allow for a greater range of pivotalmovement of head gripping pads 24 a, 24 b before contacting articulatingmembers 22 a, 22 b. Head gripping pads 24 a, 24 b are covered with opencell foam, giving them a softer and more comfortable feel when worn.

Note also that head gripping pads 24 a, 24 b, can be omitted if desired.When omitting head gripping pads 24 a, 24 b, posts 34 a, 34 b on backends 28 a, 28 b of articulating members 22 a, 22 b are also preferablyomitted. In this arrangement it is also preferable provide a slightlycurved head-accommodating shape or inner surface to articulating members22 a, 22 b to increase wearer comfort. Cushioning means and/or sweatabsorption means may also be used in association with articulatingmembers 22 a, 22 b.

Referring to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment 82 employing the presentinvention are shown wherein like numerals denote like parts. Eyeglassframes 84 generally comprises temple arms 86 a, 86 b coupled to supportarm assemblies 16 a, 16 b. Support arm assemblies 16 a, 16 b are used inplace of ear loop sections which normally hook around the wearer's earto secure eyeglasses 84 onto the wearer's head. In this embodiment,center sleeves 18 a, 18 b are attached to the distal ends 88 a, 88 b oftemple arms 86 a, 86 b, respectively, and may be integrally formed withtemple arms 86 a, 86 b from a single piece of resilient material such aspolyethylene sheet, or may comprise separate portions which are joinedtogether by adhesives, melt bonding, or like means. Support armassemblies 16 a, 16 b are otherwise used in the same manner as relatedabove for visor apparatus 10.

Referring also to FIG. 7, yet another alternate embodiment 90 of thepresent invention is generally shown, wherein like reference numeralsdenote like parts. Alternate embodiment 90 comprises a pair of supportarm assemblies 92 a, 92 b pivotally attached to eyeglass frame 84.Pivotal adjustment means 94 a, 94 b comprises upper sleeves 30 a, 30 band lower sleeves 32 a, 32 b disposed at the front end 96 a, 96 b ofsupport arm assemblies 92 a, 92 b, center sleeves 18 a, 18 b attached toeyeglass frames 84, tabs 72 a, 72 b and plungers (not shown) insertedthrough upper sleeves 30 a, 30 b, lower sleeves 32 a, 32 b and centersleeves 18 a, 18 b. Pivoting and locking of support arm assemblies 92 a,92 b function identically as previously discussed, however, topractically accommodate mounting directly onto eyeglass frame 84,pivotal adjustment means 94 a, 94 b is smaller than that disclosed foruse with support arms assemblies 16 a, 16 b in FIG. 1 through FIG. 6 andfabricated from a metal or like material.

Accordingly, it will be seen that this invention provides support armsassemblies adaptable to visors or eyeglasses which allow not only agreater degree of positional adjustment and wearer comfort than hasheretofore been available, but also the capability for maintaining thearticulating members in a fixed position after such positionaladjustments. Although the description above contains many specificities,these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention butas merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferredembodiments of this invention. Thus the scope of this invention shouldbe determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An articulating head worn support apparatus,comprising: (a) a first and a second rearward extending support armassembly, each said assembly including a center sleeve, a head grippingmember and an articulating member, said articulating member including afirst end and a second end, said first end of said articulating membercoupled to said center sleeve, said head gripping member pivotallycoupled to said second end of said articulating member; (b) an uppersleeve and a lower sleeve attached to each said first end of saidarticulating members, said center sleeve disposed between said uppersleeve and said lower sleeve, whereby said center sleeve is pivotablerelative to said upper sleeve and said lower sleeve; (c) a first and asecond plunger, each said plunger disposed within each said uppersleeve, each said center sleeve and each said lower sleeve; (d) meansfor attaching each said support arm assembly to a device worn frontallyon the head; and (e) means for adjusting said articulating member inrelation to said device in a ratcheting manner controlled by a lock andrelease mechanism.
 2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein saidlock and release mechanism comprises: (a) a plurality of serrationslongitudinally disposed on each said plunger; (b) a plurality oflongitudinally disposed serrations within each said center sleeve, saidserrations within said center sleeve configured to engage saidserrations on said plunger; (c) means for biasing said serrations oneach said plunger against said serrations within each said centersleeve; and (d) a first non-circular aperture formed within each saidupper sleeve and a second non-circular aperture formed within each saidlower sleeve, wherein each said plunger is configured such thatinsertion into said first non-circular aperture and said secondnon-circular aperture renders each said plunger rotatably immovablerelative to each said upper sleeve and lower sleeve.
 3. An apparatus asrecited in claim 2, wherein said serrations on said first plunger areangled in a first direction and said serrations on said second plungerare angled in a second direction.
 4. An apparatus as recited in claim 2,wherein said means for biasing said serrations comprises an annularspring.
 5. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising meansfor retaining said first and said second plunger within said respectivesleeves.
 6. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said frontallyworn device comprises eyeglass frames.
 7. An apparatus as recited inclaim 2, wherein said plunger has a tapered configuration.
 8. Anarticulating head worn support apparatus, comprising: (a) a first and asecond rearward extending support arm assembly, each said assemblyincluding a center sleeve, a head gripping member and an articulatingmember, said articulating member including a first end and a second end,said first end of said articulating member coupled to said centersleeve, said head gripping member pivotally coupled to said second endof said articulating member; (b) a first and a second plunger, each saidplunger including a plurality of serrations longitudinally disposedthereon, each said plunger disposed within each said upper sleeve, eachsaid center sleeve and each said lower sleeve; (c) an upper sleeve and alower sleeve attached to each said first end of said articulatingmembers, said center sleeve disposed between said upper sleeve and saidlower sleeve, whereby said center sleeve is pivotable relative to saidrelative to said upper sleeve and said lower sleeve; (d) a plurality oflongitudinally disposed serrations within each said center sleeve, saidserrations within said center sleeve configured to engage saidserrations around said plunger; (e) means for biasing said serrations oneach said plunger against said serrations within each said centersleeve; (f) a first non-circular aperture formed within each said uppersleeve and a second non-circular aperture formed within each said lowersleeve, wherein each said plunger is configured such that insertion intosaid first non-circular aperture and said second non-circular aperturerenders each said plunger rotatably immovable relative to each saidupper sleeve and lower sleeve; and (g) means for attaching each saidsupport arm assembly to a device worn frontally on the head.
 9. Anapparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said serrations on said firstplunger are angled in a first direction and said serrations on saidsecond plunger are angled in a second direction.
 10. An apparatus asrecited in claim 8, wherein said means for biasing said serrationscomprises an annular spring.
 11. An apparatus as recited in claim 8,further comprising means for retaining said first and said secondplunger within said respective sleeves.
 12. An apparatus as recited inclaim 8, wherein said frontally worn device comprises eyeglass frames.13. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said plunger has atapered configuration.
 14. An articulating head worn support apparatus,comprising: (a) a first and a second rearward extending support armassembly, each said assembly including a center sleeve, a head grippingmember and an articulating member, said articulating member including afirst end and a second end, said first end of said articulating membercoupled to said center sleeve, said head gripping member pivotallycoupled to said second end of said articulating member; (b) an uppersleeve and a lower sleeve attached to each said first end of saidarticulating members, said center sleeve disposed between said uppersleeve and said lower sleeve, whereby said center sleeve is pivotablerelative to said relative to said upper sleeve and said lower sleeve;(c) a first and a second tapered plunger, each said plunger including aplurality of serrations longitudinally disposed thereon, said serrationson said first plunger angled in a first direction, said serrations onsaid second plunger angled in a second direction, each said plungerdisposed within each said upper sleeve, each said center sleeve and eachsaid lower sleeve; (d) a plurality of longitudinally disposed serrationswithin each said center sleeve, said serrations within said centersleeve configured to engage said serrations around said plunger; (e)means for biasing said serrations on each said plunger against saidserrations within each said center sleeve; (f) a first non-circularaperture formed within each said upper sleeve and a second non-circularaperture formed within each said lower sleeve, wherein each said plungeris configured such that insertion into said first non-circular apertureand said second non-circular aperture renders each said plungerrotatably immovable relative to each said upper sleeve and lower sleeve;and (g) means for attaching each said support arm assembly to a deviceworn frontally on the head.
 15. An apparatus as recited in claim 14,wherein said means for biasing said serrations comprises an annularspring.
 16. An apparatus as recited in claim 14, further comprisingmeans for retaining said first and said second plunger within saidrespective sleeves.
 17. An apparatus as recited in claim 14, whereinsaid frontally worn device comprises eyeglass frames.